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Gov. Eric Holcomb signed an executive order Friday to move the primary election from May 5 to June 2 and will take steps to ensure that all Hoosiers have the option to vote by mail.

Holcomb was joined by Secretary of State Connie Lawson and the leaders of the Indiana Republican and Democratic parties to signal they were in agreement on the decision at a 30-minute news conference at the Statehouse.

"As citizens we all have a right to elect our leaders in a free and open and, of course, a safe environment," Holcomb said. "It's one of the cornerstones of this great nation, and so it stands to reason that rescheduling such an election should only be done in a time of emergency."

Holcomb believes it's the first time the state has had to change an election date in its 200-year history. But he said he has heard a lot of concern about the safety of continuing with the election May 5 because of the coronavirus outbreak.

By enacting social distancing measures, and taking steps such as postponing the primary, he said he hopes to avoid declaring a "shelter in place" warning like that recently enacted in California. "We're not there yet," he said.

Gov. Eric Holcomb believes it's the first time the state has had to change an election date in its 200-year history.(Photo: Jenna Watson/IndyStar)

As Holcomb and the others made the announcement, they stood on X's taped onto the stage about a body length apart to ensure they were practicing social distancing. "We're practicing a little Lynyrd Skynyrd here, 'Gimme three steps,'" Holcomb joked, referring to the rock band.

Holcomb, Lawson, Republican Chairman Kyle Hupfer and Democratic Chairman John Zody also have agreed to a number of steps that the bipartisan Indiana Election Commission will meet Wednesday to adopt:

All Hoosiers will be allowed to vote by absentee ballot via mail.

County clerks can mail ballots through 12 days prior to the primary.

Ballots with a May 5, 2020, date will be valid.

Medical professionals will be eligible for travelling boards that help nursing home and hospital patients vote.

Family members will be able to deliver each other's absentee ballots.

All deadlines would be moved forward 28 days for the June 2 primary. For example, overseas ballots would be due 45 days before the primary.

It's unclear how well the state is positioned to allow every Hoosier to vote by mail. Lawson said some counties might have a hard time supplying so many ballots. Lawson, who like Holcomb is a Republican, said results also likely would be delayed if everyone votes by mail.

"It will be a learning process for all of us," she said, "and we'll continue to work together in the days and weeks to come. I am confident that we will conduct a safe, secure and fair election."

Lawson declined to speculate whether the June 2 date also could be pushed back.

Indiana State Health Commissioner Dr. Kristina Box said she recommends voters use the mail option.

"With regards to voting," she said, "if you can vote absentee, that's the way to do it."

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Indiana's 2020 primary has been moved to June 2 due to the coronavirus outbreak. Here's everything you need to know about the primary.
Wochit

Neither Hupfer nor Zody would commit to holding their state conventions, which draw hundred of politicos to the Indiana Convention Center. The Democrat convention is June 13, and the Republican convention is June 19-20.

Both said they were exploring contingency plans should they have to cancel those gatherings and would look at those options in the days and weeks ahead.

Hupfer, though, wouldn't guarantee at this point that delegates would have the opportunity to choose candidates should the convention be cancelled.

"Anyone who would stand up here and make any guarantees about anything over the course of the next several months," Hupfer said, "would not be a sane individual, so I'm not going to make any guarantees today."

In all, 23 states, including Indiana, have yet to hold primaries or caucuses.

Six states have pushed forward their nominating contests. Georgia will vote May 19, Maryland, Ohio and Connecticut June 2, Louisiana June 20 and Kentucky June 23. Wyoming Democrats, scheduled to caucus April 4, now will do so by mail.

Just a few weeks ago, it looked like Indiana might play a role in selecting the Democratic nominee despite the state's late primary. But after a muddled contest through the first four states to vote or caucus, former Vice President Joe Biden has emerged as the front-runner. Sen. Bernie Sanders of Vermont remains in the race for now, but his path forward has narrowed.

While those primary races may be settling, Indiana's primary will play a role in selecting candidates for Congressional, county and state races.

Indiana has two open Congressional seats. Rep. Pete Visclosky is retiring in the 1st Congressional District, a Democratic stronghold in northwest Indiana. Rep. Susan Brooks, a Republican, is retiring in the 5th Congressional District in Central Indiana, including parts of Indianapolis and the northern suburbs. Fifteen Republicans and five Democrats are running for the nominations in what many expect will be a battleground district in November.